The Role of SPP in Reducing Carbon Footprint in Agriculture and Greenhouse Sector

Agriculture and the greenhouse sector play a vital role in meeting the food needs of the world’s population. However, modern agricultural practices create significant environmental pressure through intensive energy use and associated greenhouse gas emissions. In line with the goals of combating global climate change, the transition to sustainable energy solutions in these sectors has become imperative. Solar Power Plants (SPP) play a central role in this transformation. SPP not only supports environmental sustainability, but also offers significant economic advantages, demonstrating the need for the sector to lead the energy transition.

With the growing world population, food production is also increasing rapidly, leading to intensification of agricultural activities. Intensive agricultural and greenhouse activities require high energy consumption in processes such as irrigation, heating, lighting and the use of agricultural machinery. This energy consumption, traditionally based on fossil fuels, directly and indirectly increases greenhouse gas emissions. This situation emphasizes the need for the sector to fulfill its environmental responsibilities instead of focusing only on production targets.

Despite the initial cost, renewable energy solutions such as SPPs significantly reduce energy costs in the long run, and even offer additional income by selling excess energy to the grid^.1 This financial return, coupled with environmental benefits, is a powerful motivator for accelerating change in the sector. This approach not only raises environmental awareness, but also offers tangible financial benefits, positively influencing the decision-making processes of investors and farmers.

What is SPP and Its Use in Agriculture/Greenhouse Sector

Solar Power Plant (SPP) is the general name for systems that convert the sun’s rays directly into electrical energy. These systems generate direct current (DC) electricity by collecting photons from the sun through photovoltaic (PV) panels. This DC electricity is converted into alternating current (AC), which is used in homes and on the grid, by means of an inverter. The resulting electricity can be used directly as needed, stored in batteries, or sold to the grid in case of excess generation (thanks to net metering)^.1

Thanks to their modular structure, SPP projects can be expanded or redesigned according to needs and demands^.1 Investment costs pay for themselves over time; they generally provide a return within 5 to 7 years, while the lifetime of the systems can be up to 25 years, and even up to 40 years according to some sources^.1 This makes SPP a long-term and recyclable investment. A SPP system consists of many components such as solar panels, inverters, charge or current controllers, meters, monitoring devices, solar cables and construction materials^.1

SPP Types and Applicability in Agriculture Sector:

The fact that SPPs not only generate electricity, but can be installed in different types such as ground, rooftop, hybrid and even floating systems means that they can adapt to the diverse needs and geographical conditions of the agriculture and greenhouse sector. This flexibility makes solutions accessible to farmers and investors of all sizes.

• Land Type SPP: Ideal for projects targeting high production capacity in large areas. Tracking mechanisms can be used to get maximum efficiency from sunlight. These types, also called agrophotovoltaic systems, combine agricultural activities and energy production on the same land, saving energy costs without disturbing the structure of the soil^.1 Agricultural lands and greenhouse structures can be of different sizes and locations. Land-based SPP is ideal for large areas and agrophotovoltaic applications, responding to the diversity in the sector^.1
• Rooftop SPP: It eliminates land occupation as it is installed on the roofs of buildings. Installation processes are easier and less costly than land-based SPP projects. Thanks to grid-connected designs, it offers the opportunity to sell excess generated energy and reduces distribution losses by encouraging local production-consumption^.1
• Hybrid SPP: These are systems that provide optimization according to energy needs and offer battery storage. While providing uninterrupted energy, they significantly reduce dependency on the grid^.1 The uninterrupted energy of hybrid systems provides reliability for critical agricultural processes^.1
• Floating SPP: It can be installed on the surface of the water to minimize the loss of efficiency due to overheating of the panels^.1

SPP Utilization Areas in Agriculture and Greenhouse Sector:

Solar energy offers a wide range of uses in the agriculture and greenhouse sectors. It is a vital advantage for the uninterrupted continuity of agricultural production, especially in rural and off-grid areas, eliminating the problem of access to energy and providing solutions to problems such as power outages. This means not only cost savings but also operational risk management.

• Irrigation Systems: Irrigation, one of the most important elements of agriculture, can lead to high energy costs and water waste with traditional methods. Solar PV pumps and drip irrigation systems increase efficiency by saving energy and water, even in areas far from the electricity grid^.3 In rural areas, the electricity grid infrastructure may be weak or outages may be frequent. Interruptions to energy-intensive processes such as agricultural irrigation can directly affect crop yield and quality. The energy independence of ^SPPs4 and the uninterrupted energy of battery storage and hybrid ^systems1 allow farmers to plan their production schedules with more confidence.
• Greenhouse Heating, Cooling and Lighting: Greenhouses require intensive heating, cooling and lighting for year-round production. Solar-powered heat pumps, solar collectors, hot air blowing and hot water circulation systems keep greenhouses at the ideal temperature. The electricity generated by solar panels can be used for LED lighting systems. Passive systems (greenhouse design that allows direct sunlight to enter, heat storage materials) also increase energy efficiency^.3
• Agricultural Machinery and Equipment: Agricultural machinery such as feed mixing machines can be powered by solar energy^.7
• Packaging and Packaging Facilities: Especially in regions with high solar potential, the high energy costs of packaging and packaging facilities can be met to a large extent with solar energy^.7
• Cold Storage: Cold stores, which are critical for storing products, can gain energy advantages by using solar electricity^.7
• Livestock farming: Beehive heating and cooling systems can also be used in animal husbandry^.8

Solar energy systems can be easily used even in places without grid electricity, eliminating problems such as power outages and voltage regulation^.7 Thanks to their long life and low maintenance costs, they have the potential to become the indispensable energy solution of the future for agricultural enterprises^.5

What is Carbon Footprint and How is it Created in Agriculture?

Carbon footprint refers to the total amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases (methane, nitrous oxide, etc.) that individuals, institutions or activities cause in the atmosphere in tons equivalent^.9 It can simply be defined as the numerical equivalent of the damage we cause to nature. Greenhouse gas emissions, one of the main causes of global warming and climate change, are caused by various human activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels^.10

Carbon Footprint Sources in the Agriculture and Greenhouse Sector:

The agriculture sector is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. The situation is similar in Turkey. The agriculture sector contributes significantly to the carbon footprint not only through energy consumption, but also through strong greenhouse gases from biological processes (methane from livestock, nitrous oxide from soil). This suggests that carbon mitigation strategies in the sector should include not only energy efficiency but also the improvement of agricultural practices (fertilization, livestock management).

The main emission sources are:

• Fossil Fuel Consumption: Fossil fuels such as diesel, coal, natural gas used in activities such as operating agricultural machinery, irrigation pumps, greenhouse heating systems, and transportation directly cause CO2 emissions^.3 In particular, fuels such as wood, coal, and gas for heating greenhouses lead to high costs and thus emissions^.7
• Livestock: Methane (CH4) emissions from the digestion processes of cattle are one of the most important GHG sources of the agriculture sector. In Turkey, 66.0% of total CH4 emissions in 2023 came from the agriculture sector, including 66.0% from enteric fermentation^.11 In 2022, this rate was 60.5%^.12
• Agricultural Soil Management: The use of nitrogen fertilizers and tillage methods leads to nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. N2O is a much more potent greenhouse gas than CO2. In Turkey, 79.1% of total N2O emissions in 2023 originated from the agriculture sector, especially from agricultural soils^.11 In 2022, this rate was 77.9%^.12
• Food Waste and Production Processes: Food waste is a waste of resources (energy, water, land) spent on its production and indirectly increases the carbon footprint^.14 Meat and dairy products, especially beef and cheese, are among the foods with the highest carbon footprints due to the intensity of their production processes^.14

While direct sources of CO2 such as fossil fuel use ¹⁰ dominate in the energy sector, the agricultural sector is characterized by high emissions of more potent greenhouse gases ¹¹ such as methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). These emissions, especially from enteric fermentation and agricultural soils, suggest that in addition to energy solutions such as SPPs, practices such as organic farming ¹⁴ and restorative agriculture ¹⁵ should also be integrated to reduce the carbon footprint. This emphasizes that the role of the agriculture sector in combating climate change is multidimensional and requires comprehensive solutions.

Turkey’s Greenhouse Gas Emission Statistics:

According to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat), the discrepancies in GHG emission data for 2023 reveal the importance of official and reliable sources and the need to monitor the timeliness of data. This shows how critical it is for policymakers and investors to have access to accurate information. The report’ ^s reliability is enhanced by the fact that it is based on “adjusted” data published by official statistical agencies (TurkStat).

• In 2023, Turkey’s total greenhouse gas emissions were estimated at 552.2 million tons (Mt) of CO2 equivalent, down 1.4% from the previous year^.11 Per capita emissions were 6.5 tons of CO2 equivalent^.11
• In the distribution of emissions by sectors, the largest share in 2023 was energy-related emissions with 71.6%, followed by agriculture with 13.0%, industrial processes and product use with 12.8%, and waste with 2.5%^.11
• Emissions from the agriculture sector were estimated at 71.5 Mt CO2 equivalent in 2022, an increase of 37.9% compared to 1990^.12 Data for 2023 show that the share of the agriculture sector in total emissions is 13.0%^.11
• The energy consumption of the agriculture and livestock sector was recorded as 5,129 thousand TOE in 2021^.16 The share of agricultural activities in total electricity consumption increased to 5.3% in 2023^.17

Table 1: Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Sector in Turkey (2022-2023)

Sources: TurkStat Greenhouse Gas Emission Statistics (2022, 2023 ^{) 11}

This table provides a clear picture of Turkey’s overall emissions profile and the position of the agriculture sector within this profile. In particular, by highlighting the agriculture sector’s high share of non-energy emissions (CH4, N2O), it helps to understand how SPP can affect not only energy-related emissions, but also indirectly the sector’s overall carbon footprint.

The Role of SPP in Reducing Carbon Footprint

Solar Power Plants (SPPs) play a critical role in reducing the carbon footprint of the agriculture and greenhouse sector in both direct and indirect ways. The fact that SPPs both directly reduce energy-related carbon emissions and provide indirect environmental benefits such as water savings, soil health, and reduced chemical use provides a holistic solution for the agriculture sector to achieve its sustainability goals. This shows that SPP should be considered not only as an energy source but also as an integrated environmental management tool.

Direct Environmental Benefits:

• Zero Emission Energy Production: SPP does not produce any greenhouse gas emissions during operation. The use of solar energy instead of fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, diesel) directly eliminates CO2 emissions. This is the most effective way to minimize environmental impact while meeting the energy needs of agriculture and greenhouse activities^.3 For example, the 10 kW SPP project installed by CW Energy in Varnet’s glass greenhouse reduced CO2 emissions by an average of 11.63 tons per year^.19
• Reducing Fossil Fuel Dependency: SPP investments significantly reduce the dependence of farmers and greenhouse owners on traditional energy sources. This contributes to the country’s energy independence by reducing the need for energy imports and minimizes the risk of being affected by global fossil fuel price fluctuations^.4

Indirect Environmental Benefits and Sustainability Potential:

The direct impact of SPP is the generation of net zero-emission electricity, eliminating the use of fossil fuels^.3 However, there are also indirect benefits, such as solar irrigation systems improving water efficiency ⁶, agrophotovoltaic systems optimizing land use and improving plant health ²⁰, and reducing pests and diseases in greenhouses, reducing chemical use ⁸. These multifaceted contributions demonstrate that SPP is a strategic investment in the agriculture and greenhouse sector that not only reduces energy costs, but also improves ecosystem health and the overall sustainability of agricultural practices.

• Water Saving: Solar irrigation systems prevent water waste and optimize water use by integrating with methods such as drip irrigation, which delivers water directly to the plant roots^.6 This contributes to the conservation of water resources and sustainable agricultural practices.
• Soil Health and Biodiversity: Agrophotovoltaic systems increase land use efficiency by enabling both electricity generation and agriculture on the same piece of land^.20 The shade provided by the panels can reduce water requirements for some crops and prevent overheating, which can alleviate pressure on the ecosystem.
• Less Chemical Use: The reduced incidence of diseases and pests in solar-lit greenhouses prevents environmental pollution by reducing the use of chemical pesticides^.8

Economic Benefits and Productivity Improvement:

The long-term economic advantages of SPP (low operating cost, fast amortization period, sale of energy surplus) and the availability of government incentives make it an attractive option for farmers and investors despite the high initial investment cost. This confirms that environmental benefits as well as tangible financial returns are one of the key factors accelerating the transition to renewable energy.

• Reduced Energy Costs: SPP can significantly reduce or even eliminate farmers’ electricity and fuel costs^.3 These savings help farmers reduce their crop costs and increase their competitiveness.
• Long-term Return on Investment: While the installation cost of SPP systems is high, their short amortization period of 5-7 ^years2 and lifetime of up to 25-40 ^years2 offer the potential for significant savings and income generation in the long term^.3 This makes agribusinesses more resilient to energy price fluctuations.
• Operational Independence: In rural areas without grid electricity or where blackouts are common, SPP systems provide energy independence, ensuring the uninterrupted continuity of agricultural activities^.4 This prevents yield loss, especially in critical processes such as irrigation.
• Low Maintenance Costs: Solar systems are characterized by low maintenance requirements over many years, which further reduces operating costs^.4

Examples of Successful Practices from Turkey and the World

Agrophotovoltaic systems allow both agriculture and energy production on the same land, increasing land use efficiency and providing an innovative solution to the food-energy security problem. These systems have great potential for future sustainable agricultural models. There may be competition for land between traditional agricultural land and power plants. Agrophotovoltaic systems ¹ eliminate this competition and meet two basic needs (food and energy) in the same area.

Examples from Turkey:

Turkey, as a country with high solar energy potential, is accelerating SPP applications in the agriculture and greenhouse sectors.

• Ayaş Agriculture SPP Project: Turkey’s first agro-photovoltaic agriculture initiative, the Ayaş Agriculture SPP project was realized in Komşuköy in Beykoz, Istanbul. ²¹ Developed under the leadership of METU Solar Energy Application and Research Center (METU-GÜNAM), this project combines both agriculture and energy production with 122 kWp bifacial panels with solar tracking system installed on an open agricultural land. ²² The indigenous solar tracking system developed by OXOTRACKER increases energy efficiency by directing the panels according to the movement of the sun. ²² This project is a collaboration between the university, industry and agriculture sectors and contributes greatly to Turkey’s green energy targets. ²² Such projects go beyond technology transfer to encourage local innovation and production.
• Varnet Glass Greenhouse (Antalya): Varnet, which produces glass greenhouses for soilless agriculture, has established a glass greenhouse system that generates its own energy in cooperation with CW Energy. With a 10 kW self-consumption SPP installed on the greenhouse, the greenhouse’s energy needs are met from the sun. This project has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by an average of 11.63 tons per year^.19 Built entirely with recyclable aluminum alloy, these greenhouses are designed with a minimum carbon footprint^.19
• Güneşköy GÜNSERA System (Central Anatolia): Developed in accordance with the cold climate of Central Anatolia, the Güneşköy GÜNSERA project offers a unique greenhouse model by using many solar systems together. In this project, innovations such as solar greenhouse heating and drying system, underground thermal solar energy storage, solar electricity and solar lighting/irrigation systems are being tested for the first time^.23 The aim is to increase the possibilities of production in all seasons by developing a low-emission, economic and ecological greenhouse model^.23

Examples from the World:

Agrivoltaic systems are also becoming widespread around the world.

• Belgium – Solar Crop Project: The Belgian company VITO has been running the Solar Crop project since 2019. Under this project, solar panels are located directly above pear trees and cultivated sugar beet fields^.21
• Croatia – Agrivoltaic installations on freshwater ponds: In Croatia, agrivoltaic installations have been developed on most of the freshwater ponds, ponds and agricultural land inherited from the former state, generating electricity and protecting fish from cormorants^.24

These successful applications demonstrate that Turkey is building local capacity in renewable energy technologies and has the potential to increase its international competitiveness in this field. This not only brings environmental and economic benefits, but also aligns with a strategic national development objective.

Government Incentives and Sustainability Opportunities in SPP Investments

The initial investment costs of SPP systems can be a deterrent, especially for small and medium-sized farmers. Government incentives such as rural development supports, IPARD programs and interest-free loans significantly encourage farmers and investors to turn to SPP projects by lowering initial costs and reducing financial risks. These supports are a critical tool to accelerate the transition to sustainable agricultural practices.

In Turkey, there are various government incentives and grant programs to support SPP investments in the agriculture and greenhouse sectors:

• Rural Development Investment Support Program (KKYDP): KKYDP, run by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, provides up to 50% grant support for the installation of SPPs in rural areas^.25 This support covers SPP projects to be installed on the roof of agricultural buildings or on land at certain rates. For example, a grant of up to TL 1,000,000 can be received for a project worth TL 2,000,000^.25 Legal and natural persons can submit projects for the construction of wind and solar electricity generating facilities for irrigation services and electricity supply of in-field irrigation systems^.27
• IPARD Program: Co-financed by the European Union and the Republic of Turkey, IPARD (Rural Development Program) offers grants between 50% and 65% for renewable energy investments in rural areas^.25 The new call for applications for the IPARD III Program (2021-2027) has been announced for 2025^.29 It is possible to receive grants for rooftop SPPs, especially under the “Diversification of Farm Activities and Business Development” measure^.25
• Ziraat Bank “Saving Irrigation Loan”: Ziraat Bank offers 100% interest-subsidized (interest-free) loans for solar irrigation systems to farmers registered in the Farmer Registration System (ÇKS). For loans up to 5 million TL, the interest is fully covered by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance and no commission is charged. The loan term can be up to 7 years^.25 This makes it easier for farmers to switch to modern irrigation systems without putting up equity.
• KOSGEB and Other Credit Supports: Zero-interest energy loans are available for SMEs, and organizations such as Turkey Sustainable Energy Finance (TurSEFF) and the Technology Development Foundation of Turkey (TTGV) also provide various financing and support for renewable energy projects^.25 TurSEFF originates from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and offers renewable energy loans^.25

The coexistence of various incentive and loan programs offered by different institutions such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Development Agencies, KOSGEB, Ziraat Bank, etc. provides a wide range of financing for investors and reduces the financial barriers to SPP investments. This demonstrates the government’s commitment to support sustainable agriculture and renewable energy. This comprehensive approach makes it easier for farmers and investors of different scales and needs to access appropriate sources of financing, thus enabling the wider diffusion of SPP in the agriculture and greenhouse sector.

These incentives reduce the initial cost of SPP investments and minimize financial risks, making them much more attractive for farmers and investors. Combined with these incentives, long-lasting SPP systems with low operating costs open the doors to a sustainable future in the agriculture and greenhouse sector.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Which types of land are suitable for SPP installation?
   Different types of land can be used for the installation of SPPs, such as land-type, rooftop, hybrid and even water surface^.1 Agrophotovoltaic systems on agricultural land allow for both energy production and agriculture in the same area^.1 Rooftop SPPs, on the other hand, eliminate land occupation and are easier to install^.1
2. How long does a SPP investment pay for itself?
   When installed in the right location, SPP systems generally pay for themselves within 5 to 7 years^.2 In some cases, this period can be as short as 2 years^.5 The average lifetime of the systems is over 25 years, and can even go up to 40 years^.2
3. What are the main uses of SPP in agriculture and greenhouse sector?
   Solar energy can be used in many areas in the agriculture and greenhouse sectors, such as irrigation systems (PV pumps, drip irrigation), greenhouse heating, cooling and lighting, operation of agricultural machinery, packaging/packaging facilities and cold storage^.3